Two Federal Way Public Schools scholars placed at the Superintendent's High School Art Show 

Two Federal Way Public Schools scholars are among the 15 who have placed at the Superintendent's High School Art Show. High school students from all nine of the state's educational service districts participate in this annual event co-hosted by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington Art Education Association.

Brittney Wehmeyer from Federal Way High School won the Association of Washington School Principals Award and received $200 for her image, “Ripple of Color.”

Seung Hong from Decatur High School won the Washington State School Directors Association Award and received $200 for her image, “Fishbones.” 

We are proud of your dedication to the arts, which supports Strategic Plan Goal 4: Content Area Competence: Mastery of All Subjects. Congratulations

 

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Nine of our TAF@Saghalie scholars placed at the annual Washington State Science and Engineering Fair

Nine of our TAF@Saghalie scholars competed against hundreds of the top high school students in the state and placed at the annual Washington State Science and Engineering Fair.

Scholars, when I call your name please come forward to be recognized.

For their project Graphene: Quality of Various Production Methods Kevin Vo, Yuliya Pruzhanskaya and Aaron Ho received:

• first place in chemistry;
• the US Army Award for Physical Science;
• the Wolfram Certificate of Achievement; and
• they each were offered a $80,000 scholarship to Ohio Wesleyan University.

For their project Soapbox Ketterra Johnson, Alisha Carza and Abigail Marshall received first place in programming.

For their project Drones for Firefighting Gurmanjit Bassi and Logan Straight received second place in robotics, the US Army Award for Engineering and the Baymont "Adventures in Science" Award.

For the project How can we use alternative materials to create artificial blood vessels? Niklaus Ibarra won third place in biomedical science.

This effort is in direct support of the district Strategic Plan Goal 3: Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers.

 

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Scholars compete for the district championship in this year's Battle of the Books

Each elementary scholar who participated in this year’s Battle of the Books read 16 books together to answer 25 questions and compete for the district championship.

Nautilus K-8’s team “World’s Greatest Readers 3.0” placed first. Please come forward:

• Alinea Kirshenbaum 
• Andrew Hyun 
• Christopher Lo
• Hazel Underwood

Meredith Hill Elementary School’s team “Excavational Readers” took second. Please come forward:

• Jaivie Adolphin
• Josiah Bowman 
• Graham Brumfield
• Karis Song

There was a four-team tie for third place!

Green Gables Elementary School’s team “Epic Rusty Bacon”:

• Hunter McQuistin
• Leo Von Ruden
• Amelia Rennick

Lake Grove Elementary School’s team “The Phoenix Foxes”:

• Julian Davis
• Sophia Bolokhovska
• Taliyah Harris 
• Holly Hampton

Rainier View Elementary School’s team “The Book Farmers”:

• Adalyn Haydon
• Sydney Wells
• Myroslava Kamerzan 

Sunnycrest Elementary School’s team “Flaming Hot Battle Cats”:

• Daisy Lemus
• Melissa Quintana
• Jazmyne DuBose 
• Esmerelda Alferez 

We are proud of these scholars and this effort in support of Strategic Plan Goal 4, Content-Area Competence: Mastery of All Subjects.

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Our Thomas Jefferson High School and Federal Way High School robotics teams performed exceptionally well this year!

We would like to recognize the Thomas Jefferson High School Raider Artificial Intelligence Division’s (R.A.I.D.) team. RAID performed well enough at the Pacific Northwest District Championship event that they qualified to participate in the world championship where they made it the furthest they ever have by making it to their division’s semi-finals. Along the way they earned the Creativity Award and Excellence in Engineering Award at the district events, and the Innovation in Control Award at the world competition.

We would like to recognize the Federal Way High School RoboEagles team. The robotics team won the FIRST Robotics Competition Pacific Northwest District event. This was the first time in six years the team qualified for the next round of the Pacific Northwest District Championship event!

We are proud of these scholars and this effort, which is in support of Strategic Plan Goal 4, Content-Area Competence: Mastery of All Subjects.

 

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Scholar from Todd Beamer High School has been selected to be part of the Washington World Fellows 2019 cohort global leadership program

We are proud to announce a scholar from Todd Beamer High School has been selected as one of 15 out of 200 applicants to be part of the Washington World Fellows 2019 cohort global leadership program.

Luis Carrera-Lara please come forward to be recognized. 

The fellowship provides students with a study abroad experience in Leon, Spain followed by two years of college readiness and leadership development programming. This includes eight weeks of SAT/ACT test prep from The Learning Professionals, a tutoring, teaching, and mentoring organization.

To be considered for the program, students had to be nominated by a teacher or school counselor and complete a rigorous application process that includes written essays, a personal interview, and a video submission.

This supports Persistence to Graduation, Goal 5 of our district Strategic Plan. 

Congratulations, Luis!

Thomas Jefferson High School named 2018-19 Winter Sportsmanship Champion for the Olympic Division

Thomas Jefferson High School has been named the 2018–19 Winter Sportsmanship Champion for the Olympic Division in the North Puget Sound League! Thomas Jefferson also tied with Enumclaw High School for first place as Winter All-Sports Champions. Efforts such as these are in support of strategic plan Goal 3 active learners, engaged, empowered critical thinkers.

We would like to recognize Principal Adrienne Chacon, Athletic Director Mike Grady and the winter coaches on behalf of the school and sports teams for these achievements. Please come forward now to be recognized.

We are so proud of our athletic staff and scholar-athletes that portrayed sportsmanship and gained the respect of fellow schools in the North Puget Sound League. Way to go!

 

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Scholars chosen by their Advancing Leadership Youth Peers for awards

We are proud to announce our scholars who were chosen by their Advancing Leadership Youth peers for the following awards. Please come forward when I call your name:Advancing Leadership Youth is a leadership program where students learn about leadership styles and how to work with and inspire others.

• Gjianni White — Most Intentional 
• Kevin Vo — Most Relational
• Jasmine McCray — Most Transformational

Advancing Leadership’s Executive Director Amye Bronson-Doherty and any other representatives are invited to come forward too.

Being part of Advancing Leadership Youth helps our scholars grow into thriving, confident, responsible individuals, Goal 2 of our district strategic plan.

 

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Thomas Jefferson High School math team has won its eighth consecutive Mu Alpha Theta State Championship

The Thomas Jefferson High School math team has won its eighth consecutive Mu Alpha Theta State Championship! This is in addition to 19 scholars placing first through third in individual categories focused on Algebra, Pre-Calculus and Calculus.

Also, Thomas Jefferson High School math scholars have been awarded scholarships by Mu Alpha Theta, the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society. Julia Sheats won the Kay Weiss Scholarship for $5,000 for demonstrating a commitment to promoting women’s participation in the STEM fields. Nick Kim and Austin Kim both received $4,000 scholarships for dedication to the math team and math activities. 

Would the Thomas Jefferson math team please come forward to be recognized? We welcome Math Coach Tom Norris and other administrators to come forward too.

These efforts are in direct support of the district’s strategic plan Goal 4, content area competence, mastery of all subjects.

 

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Decatur High School Jazz Band won first place at Commencement Bay Jazz Festival

Decatur High School Jazz Band has won first place and was recognized as the most outstanding band at the Commencement Bay Jazz Festival! This festival is a competitive event serving both vocal and instrumental high school jazz ensembles comprised of about 200 students from around the region.

Would the Decatur Jazz Band please come forward to be recognized? We welcome Band Director Jeff Chang and other administrators to come forward too.

These accomplishments are in direct support of strategic plan Goal 4 content area competence. Please join me in congratulating these scholar-musicians!

 

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Scholars produced their own films about "Everyday STEM"

We are proud of our scholars who produced their own films about

“Everyday STEM” experiences and activities which premiered at the third annual STEM Exploration Night. Students created films that focus on various topics including an advertisement for an internet browser and a public service announcement. This supports strategic plan Goal 3 active learners, engaged, empowered critical thinkers.

We would like to acknowledge the scholars and school who won in the following categories. When I call your names, please come forward to be recognized:

• Emily Van from TAF@Saghalie for Social Awareness and STEM 
• Alyssia Howdeshell from Woodmont K-8 for STEM Public Service Announcement
• Nicholas Bides from Lakota Middle School for STEM Advertisement
• Jwan Magsoosi from Rainier View Elementary for STEM Directors Award
• Principal Jordanne Nevin to represent Woodmont K–8 as the School Award winner for having the most scholar film entries

Congratulations, we are proud of you!

 

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TAF@Saghalie scholars placed at the Comcast Innovation Challenge

TAF@Saghalie scholars have placed at the Comcast Innovation Challenge! During this five-month competition, students developed solutions for communications technology in the homeless community. The challenge culminated in final pitch presentations by the students to judges.

The winning student team “Step It Up” received $1,000 each in college scholarships and a Surface Pro laptop for their social media platform proposal to provide access and resources for individuals facing homelessness.

Scholars please come forward now to be recognized:

• Edouard Savonin 
• Nagelli Soltero 
• Nalani Hall 

The second-place team “EC4 group” received $500 each in scholarships for building a device that delivers the subject lines of new emails in a connected account and includes a GPS beacon for contacting emergency services. 

Scholars please come forward now to be recognized:

• Kevin Vo
• Yuliya Pruzhanskaya 
• Ketterra Johnson

We welcome school administrators to come forward too.

This effort is in direct support of Goal 4, content area competence: mastery of all subjects. Congratulations!

 

 

Five Federal Way Public Schools Scholars were selected for awards at the Regional High School Art Show

The Puget Sound Educational Service District selected five Federal Way Public Schools students to receive awards as part of the Regional High School Art Show!

Artwork is judged on creativity, composition, and technique and is open to students enrolled in grades 9–12.

From Federal Way High School:

• Eden Beyene’s entry “Beauty” was selected to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Board of Directors’ Honorable Mention Award
• Brittney Wehmeyer’s entry “Ripple of Color” was selected as a Regional Winner and for the Board of Directors’ Honorable Mention Award
• Hyun Rho’s entry “Cherry Blossom” has been selected to receive a $1,000 tuition waiver scholarship from Central Washington University
• Madalyn Rice’s entry “Fiery Gills” has been selected as a Regional Winner

From Decatur High School:

• Seung Hong’s entry “Fishbones” has been selected as a Regional Winner

We are proud of your dedication to the arts, which supports Strategic Plan Goal 4: Content Area Competence: Mastery of All Subjects. Congratulations!

 

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Federal Way High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps recently competed in the Northwest Drill and Rifle Conference’s championships

Federal Way High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps recently competed in the Northwest Drill and Rifle Conference’s championships and had the best showing in the history of the school’s program!

Federal Way AFJROTC would you please come forward to be recognized? We welcome Major J.J. Golemboski, Sergeant Will' Smith, and other administrators to come forward too.

Federal Way High School placed third at the conference level, and placed in the following events:

• Color Guard Team 1, first place. This is the first time any Federal Way team has placed first in the conference championship.
• Unarmed Drill Team Commander event, Cadet Grace Tangonan, third place
• Dual Unarmed Exhibition Team, Cadets Patricia Kimball and Kaylie Nakaya, third place

These efforts support Goal 3 of the Strategic Plan: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers.

Congratulations, cadets. Keep making a positive impact on your school and the community!

 

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Decatur High School girls wrestling team who was named the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association academic state champions

Congratulations to the Decatur High School girls wrestling team who was named the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association academic state champions with a team GPA average of 3.663!

Decatur High School girls wrestling team, please come forward now to be recognized. Coach Sam Hunt and other administrators are welcome to come forward now too.

The Scholastic Awards program recognizes the team with the highest grade point average among all Washington high schools in their enrollment classification.

Way to achieve excellence in and outside the classroom, scholar-athletes! Earning this scholastic award is in direct support of Strategic Plan Goal 4: Content Area Competence: Mastery of All Subjects.

 

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Decatur High School Coaches have been selected as North Puget Sound League Coaches of the Year

Congratulations to the following coaches from Decatur High School who have been selected by their fellow coaches as North Puget Sound League Coaches of the Year! Coaches please come forward to be recognized when I call your name and remain at the front until all coaches are present for a photo.

• Nadia Moore, boys swim and dive coach

Nadia is known by her fellow coaches as someone who plans well organized swim meets that demonstrate high value for all participants.

• Jeffery Forbes, boys basketball coach

Jeffery is known by his fellow coaches as someone who leads a team that demonstrates hard work and sportsmanship on and off the basketball court.

• Mike David, girls bowling coach

Mike is known by his fellow coaches as someone who models strong leadership and great sportsmanship not only for his team, but others in the bowling league.

Efforts such as these are in support of strategic plan Goal 3, Active Learners, Engaged, Empowered Critical Thinkers.

We are so proud of you for gaining the respect of fellow schools in the North Puget Sound League and being role-model coaches. Way to go!

 

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Thomas Jefferson and Federal Way High School scholars placed at the girls state wrestling competition

Congratulations to the following Thomas Jefferson and Federal Way High School scholars for placing during the girls state wrestling competition! Participation in extracurricular activities is in direct support of Strategic Plan Goal 3: Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers.

Scholar-athletes when I call your name please come forward. Thomas Jefferson Coach Jeff Muraki and Federal Way coach Travis Mango and other administrators are welcome to come forward now as well.

• London Houston, Federal Way High School who won state for the 125 pound weight class
• Goddess Ma’alona-Faletogo, Thomas Jefferson High School, second in state wresting for the 235 pound weight class
• Anjilia Sumandig, Federal Way High School, third place for the 120 pound weight class

We could not be more proud of our wrestling scholar-athletes. Congratulations!

 

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Thomas Jefferson and Federal Way High School speech and debate coaches, and Thomas Jefferson High School Speech and Debate Team win awards

Our Thomas Jefferson and Federal Way High School speech and debate coaches, and the Thomas Jefferson speech and debate team have a lot to celebrate!

The Thomas Jefferson High School Speech and Debate Team recently won the National District Sweepstakes Award then went on to win the state title for speech!

Scholars please come forward to be recognized when I call your name. We invite coach Andrew Buchan, other Thomas Jefferson speech and debate coaches and other administrators to come forward too.

• Luke Sorenson—first place at state in dramatic interpretation; second place at state and qualified for nationals in humorous interpretation
• Praises Orji —qualified for nationals in dramatic interpretation
• Allen Benjamin Tugade —first place at state and qualified for nationals in program oral interpretation; second place at state in dramatic interpretation.
• Maria Thompson and Brooke Meadows—second place at state and qualified for nationals in duo interpretation
• Amy Ojeaburu —qualified for nationals in oratory
• Mantak Singh—qualified for nationals in congressional debate
• Cade Homfeldt, Gunnar Appleton, and Luqman Shibly—qualified for nationals in world schools debate

For the next part of this announcement, we want to honor the following coaches who were recognized by the Western Washington Speech and Debate District. If you are not already at the front, please come forward to be recognized.

• Thomas Jefferson’s coach Jessica Finnsson was voted Communicator of the Year
• Thomas Jefferson’s coach Meykia Smith was voted District Coach of the Year
• Federal Way High’s coach Paul Sealey was voted National District New Coach of the Year, please come forward.

These efforts support Goal 3 of our Strategic Plan, Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers. Congratulations everyone!

 

 

Federal Way High School boys basketball team placed first in the West Central District Tournament, and third in the state

The Federal Way High School boys basketball team has a lot to celebrate.

After finishing the regular season undefeated, they competed against teams across the region and placed first in the West Central District tournament, then went on to place third in the state!

Would the basketball team please come forward to be recognized? We welcome Interim Head Coach Yattah Reed and other coaches and administrators to come forward at this time.

In addition to the team’s accomplishments, we would like to acknowledge senior Jaden McDaniels who set a Federal Way High record with 51 points in a single basketball game. Additionally, he was named the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Class 4A state player of the year. He was also named a McDonald’s All-American, and was presented with an honorary game jersey on Tuesday, February 26. He is the first player from Federal Way, and the fourteenth player from Washington state ever to be selected to play in the national high school all-star game.

These accomplishments demonstrate the efforts of our scholar-athletes to be active learners: engaged, empowered, critical thinkers, Goal 3 of our strategic plan.

Congratulations!

 

 

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Federal Way High School girls bowling to name Washington Interscholastic Activities Association academic state champions 

Congratulations to the Federal Way High School girls bowling team who was named the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association academic state champions with a team GPA average of 3.786!

The Scholastic Awards program recognizes the team with the highest grade point average among all Washington high schools in their enrollment classification.

Earning this scholastic award is in direct support of Goal 4, content area competence: mastery of all subjects.

 

 

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Decatur High School cheer team placed in state

We are proud of the Decatur High School cheer team who placed second in the state Non-Tumbling and third in state Game Day Large! Participation in extracurricular activities is in direct support of strategic plan Goal 3: active learners, engaged, empowered, critical thinkers.

In order to win, the team performed a routine that incorporated group stunts, pyramids, jumps and a cheer section.

Congratulations Decatur cheer team! We are so proud of how hard you worked, and how much you accomplished.

 

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Decatur High School cheer team placed in state

We are proud to recognize Jane Miller, Director of Instructional Technology at Federal Way Public Schools, for receiving the President’s Award from the Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE).

This award is given to an outstanding individual who works to promote successful practices of technology use in education. 

The NCCE award recognizes Jane as an EdTech leader who has developed and deployed successful instructional technology programs including her work in Federal Way Public Schools. Jane’s commitment to technology integration with learning in the classroom supports our scholars being engaged, empowered learners — Goal 3 of the strategic plan.

Congratulations, Jane!

 

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College Bound Scholarships

Federal Way Public Schools is pleased to report 1,051 — or 89 percent — of last year’s eligible eighth graders signed up for the College Bound Scholarship program by the June 30 deadline. Statewide, over 29,000 — or 70 percent — of eligible students signed up for the program.
Governor Inslee has recognized Federal Way Public Schools as one of the top school districts to exceed the statewide average sign-up rate of 70 percent.

We would like to acknowledge the work of our district leaders Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer and Director of College and Career Readiness Sammy Anderson for their work. 

We would also like to thank our middle schools for their effort.

Please come forward to be recognized:
• Principal Kurt Lauer, Federal Way Public Academy
• Principal Brianna Ward, Illahee
• Assistant Principal Crystal Emerson, Kilo
• Principal Angela Williamson, Lakota
• Principal Stacy Lucas, Nautilus K–8
• Principal Jordanne Nevin, Woodmont K–8
• Principal Dominique Dennis, Sacajawea
• Assistant Principal Eric Marshall, Sequoyah
• Principal Pam Tuggle, TAF@Saghalie
• Principal Caitlin Boline, Totem

The College Bound Scholarship is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school by June 30 and fulfill the College Bound pledge. This supports scholars persisting to graduation, Goal 5 of the strategic plan.

 

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Teacher earned National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification is an advanced certification program in which teachers have successfully demonstrated exemplary teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

Carlito Umali [pronounce: Oo-mali-E] earned National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification in 2018 and is a teacher at TAF@Saghalie, certified in Early Adolescence and English Language Arts. 

The National Board candidacy process is demanding and has numerous benefits to students as teachers become even more self-reflective about their practice and increase subject area knowledge.

Congratulations on your dedication and commitment to our scholars’ bright futures!

 

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TBHS and TJHS JROTC place at Puget Sound Division competition of the Northwest Drill and Rifle Conference

Todd Beamer High School recently hosted the final Puget Sound Division competition of the Northwest Drill and Rifle Conference. The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for Todd Beamer and Federal Way High School competed against cadets from six other schools and placed well in multiple events.

Federal Way JROTC placed in the following events:

• Unarmed Drill Team event, first place and Puget Sound Division winner
• Unarmed Drill Team Commander event, Cadet Grace Tangonan [pronounce: Tang-O-nan], first place
• Armed Drill Team event, second place
• Color Guard Team One event, first place and Puget Sound Division winner
• Color Guard Team Two event, third place
• Individual Armed Exhibition event, Cadet Reden Delos-Reyes [pronounce: Ree-den Del-oss Rays], first place
• Dual Unarmed Exhibition, Cadets Patricia Kimball and Kaylie Nakaya [pronounce: Nak-ay-A], first place and Puget Sound Division winner
• Unarmed Individual Drill Down, Cadet Katie Astruon, first place
• Armed Individual Drill Down, Cadet Richard Dizney, first place

 

Congratulations, Federal Way High School cadets! 

Next, we will ask our Todd Beamer JROTC to please come forward to be recognized. Todd Beamer placed in the following events:

• Unarmed Drill Team Commander event, Logan Dukes, third place
• Color Guard Team Two Puget Sound Division third place

These efforts support Goal 3 of the strategic plan: engaged, empowered, critical thinkers.

Congratulations, cadets. Keep making a positive impact on your school and the community!

 

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Todd Beamer High School girls basketball placed second in North Puget Sound League tournament and won the NPSL Olympic Division

Congratulations to the Todd Beamer High School girls basketball team who placed second in the North Puget Sound League tournament and won the NPSL Olympic Division. This is the sixth division championship out of the last seven years!

In addition, we would like to congratulate player Aaliyah Alexander who received the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Athlete of the Week.

Participation in extracurricular activities is in direct support of Strategic Plan Goal 3: active learners, engaged, empowered, critical thinkers.

Way to go, we are proud of you!